RIM And Nokia Respond To Apple

Research In Motion and Nokia both offered statements to provide some perspective on Apple's iPhone 4 antenna issue. RIM is ticked, Nokia actually supports Apple (at least in theory).

During today's Apple iPhone 4 press conference, Apple CEO Steve Jobs called out devices from both Nokia and Research In Motion as also losing cell signal when held in a particular way. Both companies have offered up responses to being included in today's explanation of the issue.

First, RIM:

"Apple's attempt to draw RIM into Apple's self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple's claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public's understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple's difficult situation. RIM is a global leader in antenna design and has been successfully designing industry-leading wireless data products with efficient and effective radio performance for over 20 years. During that time, RIM has avoided designs like the one Apple used in the iPhone 4 and instead has used innovative designs which reduce the risk for dropped calls, especially in areas of lower coverage. One thing is for certain, RIM's customers don't need to use a case for their BlackBerry smartphone to maintain proper connectivity. Apple clearly made certain design decisions and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple."

- Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie

You can't blame for RIM for firing back. After all, Apple cast one of its products in a negative light. Nokia did the same. Says Nokia:

"Antenna design is a complex subject and has been a core competence at Nokia for decades, across hundreds of phone models. Nokia was the pioneer in internal antennas; the Nokia 8810, launched in 1998, was the first commercial phone with this feature.

Nokia has invested thousands of man hours in studying human behavior, including how people hold their phones for calls, music playing, web browsing and so on. As you would expect from a company focused on connecting people, we prioritize antenna performance over physical design if they are ever in conflict.

In general, antenna performance of a mobile device/phone may be affected with a tight grip, depending on how the device is held. That’s why Nokia designs our phones to ensure acceptable performance in all real life cases, for example when the phone is held in either hand. Nokia has invested thousands of man hours in studying how people hold their phones and allows for this in designs, for example by having antennas both at the top and bottom of the phone and by careful selection of materials and their use in the mechanical design." (Emphasis mine.)

If you ask me, Nokia's statement actually corroborates some of what Apple said today.

Apple also called out devices from HTC and Samsung. Neither company has offered an official response or statement to Apple's portrayal of their devices.

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